By Staff
MAJOR CONSTRUCTION Boy Scouts from Troop 27 work on a project Saturday during the Camporee. Mike Ethridge, right, and Josh Jeffcoat steady the poles for their camp's gate way while Scott Riley tightens the yarn that holds it together. Photo by Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
May 6, 2001
NEWTON There were no TVs, video games or computers at the Boy Scouts Camporee held here Saturday on the grounds of the Central Mississippi Residential Center.
But none of the 200 Boy Scouts and adult leaders seemed to mind as they prepared their campsites for inspection. The camporee started Friday evening and will end today. About 20 troops are involved.
Each campsite was clearly defined by its "gate way," a doorway of sorts that was constructed of poles that were cut by the scouts and tied together with yarn and no nails.
Tom Morgan, scoutmaster of troop 27 of Meridian, looked on as his troops worked on problem-solving to get their gateway to stand.
Not everything was so primitive, however. Troop 41 of Newton brought their own kitchen sink to wash the dishes.
Gipson, who started Troop 41 through Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in 1989, pointed to the custom-made trailer that his troops move their equipment around in.
There was no running hot water but scouts Rico Bender and Antonio Hodges were warming the water by the fire and getting the breakfast dishes cleaned.
Everyone was having fun and stayed up a little late Friday night, but acting scoutmaster Larry Maxwell of Troop 9 said he believed everyone would be in the sack a little earlier on Saturday night.
@shirttale:Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3217, or e-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.